Standardized evaluation of vocational reintegration abilities – The Rheinfelden modular assessment tool

Abstract

One of the main objectives of rehabilitation is the restoration of working capacity. In some cases, physical and mental performance cannot be achieved to the degree that was possible before the onset of illness or accident. Conventional medical examination alone often leads to a deficit-oriented assessment of work-related contents and limitations on work ability. Alternative employment opportunities are rarely recommended. For this reason, a modular assessment tool was developed in cooperation with a regional Swiss disability insurance. The results of the reintegration assessment tool reflect not only medical but also performance as well as motivation-related aspects of individual vocational rehabilitation ability and lead to immediate occupational recommendations within the conclusions. Several modules are combined to achieve a case-related, task-oriented review with solutions for reintegration. The assessment of occupational reintegration capacity consists of: – clinical examination; – performance tests and questionnaires; – roundtable with patient and insurer. Optionally, additional modules for psychiatric or specific medical questions can be integrated as needed. In addition to the examinations, validated assessments of general and disease-related function as well as quality of life and standardized physical tests including assessment of willpower, motivation and test consistency are used. The concluding round table discussion represents the novel key feature of this reintegration assessment tool. By explaining all the results to the patient in an understandable way, together, the remaining physical and mental resources can be worked out and further steps can be defined that take the individual situation into account. Consequences to the patient can be directly matched with the possibilities of the insurer. The final assessment report, approximately 12 plus 12 pages, is largely standardized but highly individualized in terms of conclusions and recommendations, which makes it applicable by the insurer to further activities. More than 100 cases were completed - examples are given.